Customer Reviews

Carver City (Special Edition)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having put out such classics as Infiltrate, Destroy, Rebuild and their almost mythic Volume 1, CKY certainly faced a challenge in satisfying their fans' high expectations. Not only has CKY produced arguably their greatest album to date, but an album with the greatest potential to draw in new listeners. Like any band with a strong, dedicated fanbase, some may think the music will only appeal to that fanbase. Carver City will cure anyone of such an illusion. The album offers a little something for literally everyone with an appreciation for rock, metal, or even punk, and the sheer force and grace of CKY's instrumentation and production are sure to gain some new converts. Simply put, it's undeniably good.

The album opener, "Hellions on Parade," has been described as a classic CKY song, and it is. Reminiscent of their previous work, it will both pacify older fans and serve as a good introduction for those new to the band. For those able to listen past the "classic" sound, however, await some of CKY's more lovely and intricate guitar riffs.

The rest of the album is fairly eclectic, each song having its own unique space and sound. In a better world, "...And She Never Returned," "Imaginary Threats," and "The Boardwalk Body" would be perfect for radio. They are both approachable for CKY novices and beyond catchy. "Rats in the Infirmary" and "Doubled Up on Trauma" are energetic anthems with great punk sensibility. "Plagued By Images" and "Old Carver's Bones" are technological beasts of songs, both progressive and horrific in turn. "Woe Is Me" and "A#1 Roller Rager" provide a perfect dichotomy to summarize the album, which shifts between brooding wails of despair and hook-laden pop melodies without skipping a beat. "The Era of an End" and "Stripped Your Speech" (if you get the special edition, and you should) compete as album closers, and both do the album justice. Each provides a melodic and soft sung counterbalance to the speed and aggression that otherwise characterize the album. Also for those who grab the special edition, "Fisherman's Wharf" parts 1 and 2 are spacious otherworldly soundscapes that reward repeated listens.

In brief, Carver City is more than CKY's most mature and expansive work so far. It is a shoe in for best rock album of the year. You owe it to yourself to hear it.

After I picked up "An Answer Can Be Found" on the day it came out I was immediately excited about where CKY would take their sound next. It's been a natural progression on each album and they just keep getting better.

The anticipation kept building when I'd heard they'd been signed to Roadrunner Records. Just when it seemed like it was coming out the band parted ways (the horror!). I kept checking every week or so all over the internet for news about a reformation or at least a release of the stuff they'd been working on.

Then, finally, I saw the release saying they'd gotten back together and the album would be out in a few months. The new single was unveiled ("Hellions on Parade") along with a release date. I must've listened to that track ten times in a row before sending it to everyone I know.

I somehow managed to not listen to the samples on Amazon before today and I must say this album is well worth the long, excruciating four-year wait. These guys have never disappointed me and this album is no exception.

Get the special edition, the two instrumental tracks are cool and the other two bonus songs are great.

Highlights:
"...And She Never Returned" - Great structure, epic chorus.

"Hellions On Parade" - Perfect lead single. Very reminiscent of what got me into this band in the first place.

"Imaginary Threats" - This builds perfectly on the foundations they've been laying over their past few albums.

Another spectacular album from the boys from Weschester. Solid all the way through....no filler, although there never is on a CKY album. The moog is back and so is this band in a big way. You'll be doing your ears a disservice if you don't pick up this album to add to your collection. I'd describe it, but their music is pretty indescribable. You have to hear it for yourself and trust me, you won't be disappointed. Listen to CKY.

I am a huge cKy fan, have been for years. This in my opinion is easily the best work they have ever done. Very solid from start to finish. Personal favorites are: Plagued by Images, ...And She Never Returned, Boardwalk Body, and Imaginary Threats. Actually I love them all, 5/5 !!!

Every song on every album that CKY makes is pure genius. whether its your first cky cd or if your completing your collection, you must get this album.

Last year, no one was certain about what the future held for CKY. The Alliance was left with questions unanswered and were completely shut out from the rest of the band while the band themselves stayed quiet, also unsure about what was in store. It was a grim time for CKY and their fans but in the end, the band reignited the spark that held them together for so many years and all their passion and dedication once again flourished. With their enthusiasm renewed, the band channeled all their energy and talent into a work they had previously started on but had abandoned due to their feud...their fourth studio album titled Carver City.

CKY have always been big horror fans and this interest has shown in all of their records but none so much as this one. The album's theme focuses on a deceptive seaside city that draws in tourists from all over, with the pretension that its a lovely, family friendly resort town but in reality it is anything but that. Welcome to Carver City, a place where one wouldn't be surprised to find a dead body under a boardwalk, stumble upon a deceased fisherman's bones which may trigger a curse if disturbed, or see a battalion of hellions wage war. The songs simply don't just tell stories, as every song is composed of meaningful, well-written lyrics that only Deron Miller could write up. His writing will keep you thinking, observing, and wondering long after you've heard the song. As a writer myself, this is one of the best aspects of Carver City to me.

The music of Carver City is a definite progression when you compare back to their early days looking at the gritty, raw sound of Volume 1 or the riff-heavy An Answer Can Be Found. Some say CKY has changed their sound since then and are no longer the same band, but I don't agree with that statement in the slightest. They haven't changed their sound at all, they've simply expanded it, raising it to a whole new level which Carver City clearly shows. This album caters to everyone's music taste, no matter what your preferences are you will find something you like on here. From A#1 Roller Rager's poppy sounds to Old Carver's Bones raw, ear-splitting chaos and the mellow, somber tune of Era of an End, there's something for every music fan whether they're into rock or not. Just like the lyrics, there's so much more to look for too due to Chad Ginsburg's superb mixing. Insane riffs, clear, vibrant solos, synths, deep basslines, and fantastic drumming, whatever you're looking to hear on this album I guarantee you you'll find it, this has everything you could ask for on such a diverse track list.

Ultimately, this record is perfect for the return of CKY. For a band that has been around as long as they have, I could expect nothing less from them. The talent and potential these guys possess tell me they are far from finished and will only continue to succeed in this industry. Carver City is a must if you are a fan of this band or if you just enjoy good rock music. You will not be disappointed.

Last year, no one was certain about what the future held for CKY. The Alliance was left with questions unanswered and were completely shut out from the rest of the band while the band themselves stayed quiet, also unsure about what was in store. It was a grim time for CKY and their fans but in the end, the band reignited the spark that held them together for so many years and all their passion and dedication once again flourished. With their enthusiasm renewed, the band channeled all their energy and talent into a work they had previously started on but had abandoned due to their feud...their fourth studio album titled Carver City.

CKY have always been big horror fans and this interest has shown in all of their records but none so much as this one. The album's theme focuses on a deceptive seaside city that draws in tourists from all over, with the pretension that its a lovely, family friendly resort town but in reality it is anything but that. Welcome to Carver City, a place where one wouldn't be surprised to find a dead body under a boardwalk, stumble upon a deceased fisherman's bones which may trigger a curse if disturbed, or see a battalion of hellions wage war. The songs simply don't just tell stories, as every song is composed of meaningful, well-written lyrics that only Deron Miller could write up. His writing will keep you thinking, observing, and wondering long after you've heard the song. As a writer myself, this is one of the best aspects of Carver City to me.

The music of Carver City is a definite progression when you compare back to their early days looking at the gritty, raw sound of Volume 1 or the riff-heavy An Answer Can Be Found. Some say CKY has changed their sound since then and are no longer the same band, but I don't agree with that statement in the slightest. They haven't changed their sound at all, they've simply expanded it, raising it to a whole new level which Carver City clearly shows. This album caters to everyone's music taste, no matter what your preferences are you will find something you like on here. From A#1 Roller Rager's poppy sounds to Old Carver's Bones raw, ear-splitting chaos and the mellow, somber tune of Era of an End, there's something for every music fan whether they're into rock or not. Just like the lyrics, there's so much more to look for too due to Chad Ginsburg's superb mixing. Insane riffs, clear, vibrant solos, synths, deep basslines, and fantastic drumming, whatever you're looking to hear on this album I guarantee you you'll find it, this has everything you could ask for on such a diverse track list.

Ultimately, this record is perfect for the return of CKY. For a band that has been around as long as they have, I could expect nothing less from them. The talent and potential these guys possess tell me they are far from finished and will only continue to succeed in this industry. Carver City is a must if you are a fan of this band or if you just enjoy good rock music. You will not be disappointed.

The last time anyone heard from CKY, it seemed that the band was done with. Despite huge grassroots successes with Volume 1, IDR and An Answer Can Be Found, the rock and roll lifestyle finally caught up with the band, and a much needed hiatus ensued.

While virtually 2007 and much of 2008 passed without so much as a sentence from the band, many fans hoped they were working together to patch things up and move on. Not ones to simply quit, CKY settled their differences, met their demons head on and came out of it stronger than ever.

2005's An Answer Can Be Found was met with mixed reception, there were questions in the air about if the band's heart was still in it. Though it was a great rock album, many felt it lacked the substance and polish of their previous efforts.

With their fourth album Carver City, CKY has really outdone themselves in every area. This album is a very progressive effort from their raw rock sound on Volume 1 and thick in your face guitars of IDR. Deron Miller has really matured with his craft, as has Chad Ginsburg who doubles as producer and guitarist. Like a pheonix reborn, the album feels fresh and new from the songs to the attitude. Layers of guitars and vocals complete with sonic soundscapes from synths and keyboards run full assault on the ears for the length of the album.

The album opener 'Hellions on Parade' cuts right to the chase (no pun intended) and explodes out of the starting gate, reminiscent of fan favorite 'Escape from Hellview'. From there we're led into the seedy town of Carver City, where tales of missing girls, dead bodies, ghost crews and thoughts of self hate preside over the inhabitants. This seaside resort town is supposed to be a dream, but instead serves as a nightmare for anyone inside. 'And She Never Returned', 'Rats in the Infirmary', 'Imaginary Threats' and 'The Boardwalk Body' showcase CKY's hard rock edge and their talent for addictive hooks and melody. 'Plagued by Images', 'Woe is Me', 'A#1 Roller Rager' and 'Fishermans Wharf 1 & 2' are classic CKY. These progressive riffs with eerie overtones that harken all the way back to Volume 1's 'Lost in a Contraption', 'Rio Bravo' and 'To All of You'.

Longtime fans will appreciate this offering. It's without a doubt their best effort to date, check it out.

Carver City is the first release for CKY under Roadrunner Records and is a great offering to start the band's term with the label. And it's also a great start to their "reunion" after being apart for some time for personal reasons. The music is refreshing (more on this later) and the last release on Island Records, An Answer Can Be Found, just seemed a little out of character for the band. A change in scenery can make a world of a difference.

So what or where is Carver City exactly? It's a fictional New Jersey town the band came up with as a theme for the album, a seaside town that represents inspirations of childhood nostalgia and memories. One such inspiration derives from a Deron Miller family getaway which becomes "The Boardwalk Body." It's an intriguing theme considering the songs derive from actual events.

The band seemed to have lost that skater rock, disdainful style they had (they were once on the Warped Tour and were then kicked off in true CKY fashion, mind you), and their third release, An Answer Can Be Found, is a testament to that. There was just something off about that album. The passion and poise weren't there. It was a solid effort but not what the band's following was probably looking for. But CKY have resurged with grandiosity for their fourth release, a follow-up which shatters all expectations.

Once an artist changes style or heads in another direction, it's not common to see a return to old form, but CKY defies this logic. "Hellions On Parade" is the third part in the Hellview theme, preceded by "96 Quite Bitter Beings" and "Escape From Hellview." Not bad company, eh? It's also the first single, the first track, and the first sign of a triumphant return. Following suit, "Rats In The Infirmary" is another song reminiscent of Volume 1 with dark, perhaps even industrial tones. Further, "Imaginary Threats" and "A#1 Roller Rager" have the fuzzy, little riffs and melody found abundant in Infiltrate-Destroy-Rebuild.

Carver City is everything CKY has come to be, and it's a breath of fresh air... and a relief!

CKY is amazing! This album is great, well written, well produced. CKY continues to throw out that unique sound we love them for!!